793.94/7527: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:45 p.m.]
520. The Chinese Ambassador informed me yesterday that at the request of his Government he asked Litvinov several days ago what the attitude of the Soviet Government would be in case Japanese pressure in North China should assume such a form as to “threaten the peace of the Far East”.
Although Litvinov was evasive he stated that if the Great Powers should take collective action to preserve peace in the Far East the Soviet Union would be willing to participate. Litvinov suggested China might push its case both with the signatories of the Nine Power Treaty and with the League of Nations but added that the chances for effective action would be better with the former since disinterested little states would not be hindrances. Litvinov said that it was unfortunate that the United States and the Soviet Union did not have a common basis for action since the United States was not a member of the League and [since] the Soviet Union, in view of the absence of relations with Portugal and Holland, could not be an adherent to the treaty. He did not indicate whether the Soviet Union if given the opportunity would be willing to adhere to the treaty.
Yen stated that he also asked Litvinov what the Soviet Government would do should Japan take armed action against Mongolia. Litvinov replied that in his opinion no such action would be taken in the near future despite the threatening tone of the recent announcement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of “Manchukuo.” In case of such action the policy of the Soviet Union would be based upon the exigencies of the situation. Yen said that he had not been able to ascertain precisely what the Mongolian Mission in Moscow was doing. He felt sure, however, that it was negotiating arrangements whereby in case of attack it would receive assistance from the Soviet Union.
A Soviet official close to the Kremlin stated recently to members of the staff that the Soviet Government would regard any Japanese aggression in Outer Mongolia as a “threat to the territorial integrity” of the Soviet Union and would act accordingly. He added that the Soviet Government did not believe that aggression was likely at the present time and that in his opinion if aggression would be postponed for one month changed conditions would make it practically impossible for Japan to attack Mongolia. He declined to elaborate upon these statements.
[Page 490]A large Mongolian delegation headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister for War arrived in Moscow on December 12 and was given a demonstrative reception at the railway station by high Soviet military and civilian officials.
Sakoh, Counsellor of the Japanese Embassy, informed a member of the staff yesterday that he understood that following the arrival of the Mongolian Mission there were taking place in Moscow conferences of the leaders of all of the important Mongolian tribes of both the Soviet Union and of Outer Mongolia including [Tannu?] Tuva. Sakoh thought the conferences might have one of the following results: First, the application of Mongolia and [Tannu?] Tuva to become a constituent republic of the Soviet Union or, second, the conclusion of a defensive alliance between the Soviet Union and Mongolia against aggression from the East.
Sakoh also said that although he did not believe that the Kwantung armed forces would invade Mongolia during this season of the year “anything was possible insofar as the Kwantung Army was concerned”.
High Soviet military officials insist that the visit is of a routine nature similar in character to that made last year.
For the Soviet Government to annex what the world still considers as a part of China or to make commitments which would limit its maneuvering possibilities in the Far East would be a surprising reversal of policies hitherto followed.